Posted on 09/02/2005 7:47:05 AM PDT by Valin
NORWOOD -- No one could blame Marine Lance Cpl. Michael Levinson if he wondered why life kept dealing him a bad hand. The 21-year-old Norwood resident and Uxbridge High graduate was wounded twice in combat during an eight month stint in Iraq. This winter, while in Iraq, he learned his 72-year-old father was diagnosed with cancer, prompting his family to sell their house and move into an apartment. Levinson decided to leave the Marines to help support his family.
But yesterday, fortune smiled upon Levinson, who won a free vacation to Riviera Maya, Mexico, from a contest he didn't know he entered. Unbeknownst to Levinson, his girlfriend, Laurie Thomas, also from Uxbridge, submitted his name in a Celebration Vacation Contest by Brigham's Ice Cream and iParty Retail Stores for free trip for four to Mexico. The contest asked New Englanders to submit their stories on why they deserve a vacation. Thomas decided to send in Levinson's story. "He would give his life for his family and he is so worried and unbelievably stressed about his father's health, and keeping a roof over his family's head," said Thomas. "He hasn't had any time to enjoy himself."
Levinson's story made the judges' work easy. "As soon as they read the story, that was it, he won," said contest spokeswoman Susan Butler, who said judges considered more than 1,000 entries. "They all said, 'We don't need to read anymore essays.'"
Yesterday, at Levinson's family-owned deli, The Cafe at River Ridge in Norwood, the Marine was shocked to see the place decked out in Mexican decor and even more surprised to learn of the contest. "Are you sure you have the right person?" Levinson said when told he was the contest winner.
Levinson returned home from Iraq in February with two Purple Hearts for his service. Norwood Veterans' Services Director Ted Mulvehill has known the Levinson family for years and calls Michael a well-rounded, and grounded soldier. "He's what a Marine should be," said Mulvehill. "And his unit had a very, very busy time over there. They saw a lot of action."
Levinson downplayed his awards and wounds, one of which came when he was hit with enemy shrapnel when his unit's truck overturned. He also suffered a dislocated shoulder. "I was just doing regular stuff," Levinson said of his service.
That "regular" work has now earned him a unique vacation.
Outstanding Marine.
But with his recent luck, does he really want to risk a trip into Mexico?
Good for him! I hope someone hands him come cash to take along and have a good time~!
Seems to me he deserves a good time. Couldn't be happier for him.
I hope so.
I manage the IT for a distribution center in Laredo, TX. I used to cross over into Nueva Laredo, but no more. That place was bad before, but now it's a war zone.
Now I spend half of my year in Central Mexico (San Luis Potosi, SLP) and it's a pretty nice place. Every trip back, it moves farther toward the US in terms of infrastructure.
Hey thats my town! :)
Don't know the Marine though.
I wonder just how many deli's named The Cafe there are in Norwood?
/subtle hint :-)
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